Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990 provided for the establishment of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), an executive, non-departmental public body, the first statutory body of its type in the world. The HFEA is the independent regulator for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment and human embryo research and came into effect on 1 August 1991. The 1990 Act ensured the regulation, through licensing, of:
- the creation of human embryos outside the body and their use in treatment and research
- the use of donated gametes and embryos
- the storage of gametes and embryos.
The Act also requires the HFEA keep a database of every IVF treatment carried out since that date and a database relating to all cycles and use of donated gametes (egg and sperm).[1]
Contents
Criticism
A report of November 2012 by the civil society organisation Human Genetics Alert criticised the HFEA for allowing a legislative slide into human genetic engineering and designer babies.[2]
Ties with LM Network
- Juliet Tizzard, head of Policy and Communications at HFEA, was a columnist for Living Marxism and has written for Spiked[3] and the Institute of Ideas[4] and contributed to a publication of the Pro-Choice Forum (PCF).
- Prof Emily Jackson, former deputy chair of the HFEA, co-authors with Dr Ellie Lee on abortion rights and is part of Pro-Choice Forum network.[5] Both Ellie Lee and the Pro-Choice Forum are closely associated with Frank Furedi, Juliet Tizzard, Progress Educational Trust, et al.[6] At a conference at Kent University, Jackson publicly endorsed human reproductive cloning.[7] (See the abstract here.)
People
- Peter Thompson, Chief Executive
- Nick Jones, Director of Compliance
- Mark Bennett, Director of Finance and Facilities
Members of the Authority
Chair, Prof Lisa Jardine (also President of British Science Association) | Deputy Chair, Gemma Hobcraft | Hossam Abdalla | Professor David Archard | Debbie Barber | Sally Cheshire | Jane Dibblin | Rebekah Dundas | Dr Andy Greenfield | Dr Sue Price | The Rt Reverend Dr Lee Rayfield | Dr Alan Thornhill
Executive Licensing Panel members
Juliet Tizzard, Head of Policy and Communications - Chair | Mark Bennett, Director of Finance & Facilities - Deputy chair | Nick Jones, Director of Compliance | Hannah Darby, Senior Policy Manager | Ian Peacock, Analyst Programmer | Rachel Hopkins, Head of Human Resources | Paula Robinson, Head of Business Planning | David Moysen, Head of Information Technology | Joanne Anton, Policy Manager | Matthew Watts, Regulatory Policy Manager | Jasper Squire, Computer Programmer
Licence Committee members
Sally Cheshire – Chair | Dr Andy Greenfield | Rt Reverend Dr Lee Rayfield | Debbie Barber | Gemma Hobcraft
Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee (SCAAC)
Dr Susan Price - (chair) | Dr Andy Greenfield (deputy chair) | Debbie Barber | Prof David Barlow (external advisor) | Prof Daniel Brison (external advisor) | Prof Peter Braude (external advisor) | Dr Melanie Davies (external advisor) | Dr Joyce Harper (external advisor) | Gemma Hobcraft (ex officio) | Dr Robin Lovell-Badge (external advisor) | Dr Alan Thornhill | Prof Lorraine Young (external advisor)[8]
As at November 2012 members included:[9]
- Prof Lisa Jardine - chair
- Prof Emily Jackson - deputy chair[10]
- Hossam Abdalla
- Prof David Archard
- Juliet Tizzard – head of policy and communications.[11]
Contact
- Address:
- Finsbury Tower
- 103-105 Bunhill Row
- London, EC1Y 8HF
- Tel: 020 7291 8200
- Fax: 020 7291 8201
- E-mail: enquiriesteam AT hfea.gov.uk
- Website: http://www.hfea.gov.uk/
Notes
- ↑ HFEA, About the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, Oct 2009, accessed 27.11.2012.
- ↑ Human Genetics Alert, Human Genetic Engineering on the Doorstep: The threat of ‘mitochondrial replacement’ techniques, Nov 2012, accessed 03.10.2013.
- ↑ Spiked, "My Sister’s Keeper: stranger than reality," 17.07.2009, accessed 03.10.2012.
- ↑ IoI, IoI Forums, accessed 03.10.2013.
- ↑ Emily Jackson, "Ethics and Abortion Law," Pro-Choice Forum website, accessed 03.10.2013.
- ↑ GM Watch, Progress Educational Trust, Web Archive 13.12.2007, accessed 03.10.2013.
- ↑ Kent University, "Abstracts, Engendering Bioethics, Centre LGS, 17-18th November, Keele University," accessed 03.10.2013.
- ↑ As at Oct 2013.
- ↑ HFEA, Members of the Authority, accessed 27.11.2012.
- ↑ HFEA, Minutes of Authority Meeting 12 September 2012, accessed 03.10.2013.
- ↑ LinkedIn Juliet Tizzard, accessed 30.11.2012.
